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A volcanic eruption and tsunami cut off communications with Tonga, leaving the Pacific kingdom isolated.
Tongans from abroad are overwhelmed waiting for the news of their loved ones a strong volcanic eruption and the tsunami severed ties with the southwestern kingdom of the Pacific Ocean.
New Zealand’s 85,000 Tonga community raised concerns on Monday that it could be two weeks after the eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai on Saturday until communications are restored.
In addition to leaving people in the dark about the fate of their relatives, the lack of the internet threatens tongars with money transfers from foreign relatives.
“I think the worst thing is the blackout and we don’t know anything,” said New Zealand journalist Philip Motulalo of the Pacific Media Network. “There is no communication,” he added.
“Our house is among those near the flooded area, so we don’t know how much damage there is.”
Shairana Ali, the general manager of Save the Children Fiji, told Al Jazeera in the Fiji capital of Suva that the situation in Tonga is “quite serious”.
“There is an immediate need for food and water, as there is a severe fall in ash and as a result water sources have become polluted on most of the affected islands,” he said.
“We are also concerned about air quality. And our concern, of course, is with children who would be mentally traumatized because of this temporary event. ”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said officials had made satellite contact in the country’s Tongan capital, Nuku’alofa, after a tsunami erupted from Japan to the United States and Alaska off the Pacific coast. and Finland.
New Zealand was informed that there were no reports of any deaths or injuries in the capital, but that there was “significant” damage in some areas.
“I would say we are overwhelmed, not scared,” said Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana’ana’a-ki-Fualuk, secretary of the Auckland Tongan Community.
“It simply came to our notice then. We accept that there is a problem with the Internet, but we hope for the best, “he told AFP.
Screenshot of a Japanese Himawari-8 satellite image [The National Institute of Information and Communications/handout via AFP]Fakana’ana’a-ki-Fualu, who is organizing shipments to send aid supplies to Tongara, said the cable breakdown that prevented access to the Internet was a serious problem for families dependent on funds sent by the Tongan community to New Zealand.
“That will be a problem and we will have to look at alternatives,” said the community secretary, adding that the Tongan government, with the support of New Zealand and Australia, “can do something to help.”
Air New Zealand, meanwhile, has delayed a flight home to Tongan due to volcanic ash clouds erupting.
The flight was scheduled to depart from Auckland on Thursday.
“At this sad time, we are praying for God’s help to our people. We hope everyone is safe, “Maikeli Atiola, secretary of Auckland’s Wesleyan Church in Tongan, told Radio New Zealand Radio.
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